News

20 Years of the Energy Policy Act: 18 Trillion Gallons Saved Through More Efficient Toilets

Submitted on March 21, 2014

Saturday, March 22 (2014) marks World Water Day, an international day of reflection on our planet’s water challenges. This year also marks another significant moment in water history: the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the Energy Policy Act, which mandated more water and energy efficient plumbing fixtures, including toilets, urinals, showerheads and faucets.

The President's Climate Data Initiative Launches with Strong Commitments, Including AWE

Submitted on March 19, 2014

On March 19, 2014, delivering on a commitment in the President’s Climate Action Plan, the White House launched the Climate Data Initiative, an ambitious new effort bringing together extensive open government data and design competitions with commitments from the private and philanthropic sectors to develop data-driven planning and resilience tools for local communities.

DOE Publishes NOI for Commercial Clothes Washers Energy and Water Conservation Standards

Submitted on March 7, 2014

On March 4, 2014 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a notice of proposed rulemaking and a public meeting related to new energy conservation standards for commercial clothes washers.

California Governor Brown, Legislative Leaders Announce Emergency Drought Legislation

Submitted on February 20, 2014

On Wednesday, February 19, 2014, California Governor Brown joined CA Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and CA Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez to announce legislation to immediately help communities deal with the devastating dry conditions affecting the state and provide funding to increase local water supplies.

AWE Awarded US Water Prize by the US Water Alliance

Submitted on January 23, 2014

On Thursday, January 23, Ben Grumbles, President of the U.S. Water Alliance, announced the awardees of the 2014 U.S. Water Prize while speaking to the California Irrigation Institute Conference attendees in Sacramento, California. The four winners are: Alliance for Water Efficiency, Chicago, IL; American Water, Voorhees, NJ; Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater, Cincinnati, OH; and Orange County Water District and Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, California.

California Drought Emergency Declared by Governor Jerry Brown

Submitted on January 17, 2014

With California facing water shortfalls in the driest year in recorded state history, Governor Brown today proclaimed a State of Emergency and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for these drought conditions.

Understanding Your Return on Investment: The Importance of Avoided Costs in Water Efficiency Program Evaluation

Submitted on March 15, 2013

Every water provider faces a unique set of circumstances that determine whether or not water efficiency programs will be cost-effective. What works for one water utility may or may not work for another. This is particularly true in regard to current and future costs of providing water service that can potentially be reduced, deferred, or avoided by actively reducing water demand.